Just what I always wanted - Mari Wilson

Mari Wilson appeared on the scene in the early eighties with her skyscraper beehive hairdo, a strange sense of (retro-inspired) fashion and a fully choreographed twelve piece band. Her live shows were very entertaining and this is how she claimed her fame. In 1982, she had her biggest hit with this single, 'Just what I always wanted', which peaked at number eight in the UK singles chart.

I vaguely remembered Mari Wilson, so I took a gamble when I bought this single. But the gamble paid off: it is a great pop song. I wonder why I didn't remember this one...

My collection: 7" single no. 3539

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Just what I always wanted' / 'Woe, woe, woe'

Download: here

Snobbery and decay - Act

Act were a synthpop group in the late eighties, consisting of Thomas Leer and ex-Propaganda singer Claudia Brücken. Lyrically their songs tended to be concerned with decadence and the moral bankruptcy of the world as they saw it, as summed up in the title of their debut single 'Snobbery and decay'. On the cover you see Quentin Crisp and Liberace.

The band dissolved shortly after the release of their debut album, 'Laughter, tears and rage'. This album was reissued in 2003 as a three cd set, including bonus tracks, remixes, alternative versions and previously unreleased material. The single is a great piece of dramatic and melodic synthpop.

My collection: 7" single no. 2992
Found: Record fair, May 27, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Snobbery & decay' / 'Poison'
Download: here

The clapping song - Belle Stars

'The clapping song' is a song originally recorded by Shirley Ellis in 1965. The lyrics of 'The clapping song' are reminiscent of a nursery rhyme or jump-rope rhyme, and also feature instructions for a clapping game.

The Belle Stars covered the song in 1982 and it provided them with their first top 20 hit. This picture disc was a great item, one I couldn't resist buying even though I wasn't really impressed with the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2715

Found: June 20, 1996

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'The clapping song' / 'Blame'

Download: here

Souvenir - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the dark

'Souvenir' was released as the first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1981 album 'Architecture & Morality'. A tape consisting of slowed-down loops of a choir tuning up had been the initial inspiration for the song. Although very displeased with the original version, they decided it had some merit after all, after having re-recorded it previously.

The tune has a very strong synthesised melody, with a rare lead vocal by Paul Humphreys. Although he is not the band's main singer, he was satisfied with his attempts, and would do lead vocals for some of OMD's other well-known releases. An extended version of the song (with an additional verse) was released as a 10" single.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: House of Rhythm, London
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Souvenir (extended)' / 'Motion and heart (Amazon version)', 'Sacred heart'
Download: here

Me no pop I - Coati Mundi

Coati Mundi is the stage name of Andy Hernandez. He was member of Kid Creole and the Coconuts, playing the vibraphone. He scored a solo hit in the UK singles chart with 'Me no pop I' in 1981. Coati Mundi appeared as an actor in the film 'Who's that girl', starring Madonna. He wrote and performed a song for the soundtrack album called: 'El Coco Loco'.

I bought the single in Denmark, remembering the song after more than two decades of not hearing it. Amazingly, the hit version is on the b-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 3425

Found: Esbjerg (Denmark), June 17, 2006

Cost: 10 Danish crowns

Tracks: 'Me no pop I' / 'Que pasa/Me no pop I'

Download: here

Always something there to remind me - Naked eyes

'Always Something There to Remind Me' is a song written in the 1960s by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Originally a minor hit for American singer Lou Johnson, it was then recorded by Sandie Shaw. It became her breakthrough hit in the UK in 1964, reaching number one in the UK singles chart.

Naked Eyes recorded a cover version of this song in 1982. This 12" version was remixed by John 'Jellybean' Benitez.

My collection: 12" single no. 147

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, 199X

Cost: 2,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Always something there to remind me (remixed version)' / 'Voices in my head'

Download: here

Say when - Lene Lovich

Lili-Marlene Premilovich was born on March 30, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 13 her family moved to Hull, England. She met guitarist/songwriter Les Chappell during her teens, and he became her longtime collaborator and life partner.

Taking on the name Lene Lovich, she released her debut album 'Stateless' in 1978. This album contained her two biggest hits: 'Lucky number' (a top three hit in the UK) and this single, 'Say when'. It reached number 19 in the UK and the Netherlands. I bought the single in that same year, even though the sleeve was written on and quite damaged. I bought a replacement copy two decades later in the same shop for the same price...

My collection: 7" single no. 105

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Say when' / 'One lonely heart'

Download: here